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Audition Requirements

An audition with members of the Music Department faculty is required for everyone who wishes to major in Music at The College of Saint Rose. The ability to read music notation is required for all instrumentalists and vocalists. All students may be asked to demonstrate their sight-reading abilities during their audition.

Brass and Woodwind performers should prepare at least one solo, a minimum of five minutes in length, with at least two contrasting sections from the standard repertoire for their primary instrument.

Saxophonists should be prepared to play 10-15 minutes of music that includes two contrasting movements (a slow section and a technically-challenging section) from the standard saxophone repertoire such as the Creston Sonata, Glazanouv Concerto, Concertino da Camera by Ibert, or Heiden Sonata. Students with jazz experience are encouraged to also perform a jazz piece. It is recommended that saxophone auditions be performed on the alto saxophone.

All perspective String students should prepare two contrasting works or movements from the standard repertoire. There are several instruments that have listed examples of appropriate repertoire in detail. This is to better help you as a guide for literature selection. For additional examples of appropriate audition repertoire, please consult the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) manual, Levels V, and VI, or the equivalent manual from another state music education association.

Music Industry: Occurring immediately after the Music Department auditions, there will be an additional audition for Music Industry Program applicants. For more information concerning the Music Industry Program auditions, click here.Organists will perform a solo organ selection, play a hymn, and demonstrate manual and pedal technique.

Percussionists should demonstrate skills on at least two of the following percussion units: snare drum, timpani, keyboard percussion, multiple percussion, or drum set. Percussionists may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight read basic notation on mallet instruments if a keyboard percussion work is not one of your selected solos.Pianists are expected to perform at least two contrasting solos including:1. A work from the Baroque period OR the Classical period (Repertoire examples: Two or Three Part Invention, Preludes by Bach, one movement of sonatina/sonata by Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven)2. A work from the Romantic period OR a work by an impressionist or 20th century composerString applicantsclick here for specific audition requirements for string instruments.Vocalists should be prepared to present two solos from memory. One solo should be in English and the second in another language. An accompanist will be provided for the audition should a student not be able to bring his/her own.